South Africa announce ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour

South Africa have announced their ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Veteran leg spinner Imran Tahir has been rested for the series.

After receiving severe drubbing at the hands of India in the home ODI series, South Africa looked a bit lackluster. They failed to pick up the Indian spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal and were found wanting more often than not. Their batting as well lacked the fire power that the team once used to possess.

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South Africa will now tour Sri Lanka where they will play an ODI series, a T20I series and a Test series. After the retirement of AB de Villiers, South Africa have to put up their act together. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will take charge of the bowling attack where as Hashim Amla, Quinton de cock and Faf du Plessis would be the mainstays of the batting order.

Although right-hand middle-order batsman Reeza Hendricks has been named as ABD’s replacement in the squad, he may fail to make the XI. In all probability Aiden Markram will open the innings with Quinton. Captain du Plessis can then bat at 3 and Amla at 4. Duminy and Miller will be slotted at 5 and 6 respectively.

South Africa decided to rest Imran Tahir for the series. Instead, they have picked up a test match regular Keshav Maharaj in the squad. Tabraiz Shamsi has been retained and may make the playing XI in the spinning conditions of Sri Lanka.

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The tour is scheduled to start on 29th July. Coming of a Test series victory against Australia would give South Africa a lot of confidence and they would try their best to trump the insipid looking Sri Lanka. However, without the availability of AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, the team can face a tough challenge against the Sri Lankans.

South African Squad

Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungisani Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.